Aim: Compare the levels of the brain injury biomarkers Tau and neurofilament light protein (NFL) in cases of asphyxia with those in controls.
Materials and methods: We analyzed the neuronal proteins Tau and NFL in umbilical blood of 10 cases of severe-moderate intrapartum asphyxia and in 18 control cases.
Results: The levels of both Tau and neurofilament were significantly higher after asphyxia and it appeared to be a correlation between the levels of the biomarkers and the severity of the insult.
Discussion: Future studies are warranted to support or refute the value of Tau/NFLin clinical practice.
Conclusion: Fetal asphyxia remains a clinical problem resulting in life-long neurological disabilities. We urgently need more accurate early predictive markers to direct the clinician when to provide neuroprotective therapy.
Keywords: Asphyxia; biomarkers; brain injury; umbilical blood.